Amarinder demands independent probe into sacrilege incident

Chandigarh: Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh on Sunday demanded an independent probe into the allegations of AAP MLA Naresh Yadav's involvement in the desecration of a religious book.

"Since the needle of suspicion now points towards both, the Akali-BJP combine as well as the AAP, it is important that there is a credible probe to find out the actual truth," the former CM said in a statement here today.

"Given the sensitivity of the matter, we need to exercise utmost restraint and caution," Amarinder said, insisting "no guilty should be allowed to go scot-free."

He  said, "It is a clear act of provocation done deliberately to hurt the sentiments of a particular community for vested interests."

The PCC president hoped that the AAP MLA, who was publicly named by one of the accused, will cooperate in the investigation.

"In order to reach to the root of the matter, it needs to be investigated by an independent agency whose credentials are above board," the Amritsar MP said, adding "since the needle of suspicion points at both the SAD-BJP and the AAP, it is important that the probe conducted should be above board and acceptable to all."

Notably, Punjab Police today said Aam Aadmi Party MLA Naresh Yadav has been booked in connection with the alleged sacrilege incident in Malerkotla on June 24 and will be summoned for interrogation even as AAP described it as a "political conspiracy" to defame the party ahead of 2017 Assembly polls.